§ Mr. Roebuckasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the speech by Her Majesty's Ambassador to Paris on 2nd February last about Great Britain's views on joining the European Economic Community was made with his authority; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. George BrownYes. It is clear from the full text of the speech, which is available in the Library, that the Ambassador was referring to the state of public opinion in Britain as reflected in recent opinion polls and not to a Government decision to apply to join the European Economic Community. The speech also makes clear that there are a range of problems which require to be satisfactorily overcome before Britain could join the Community.